Theodore Ratisbone, founder of the Congregation
The Congregation of Our Lady of Sion (French: Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion, abbreviated NDS) was founded in Paris in 1843 by Théodore Ratisbonne and his brother Alphonse Ratisbonne, both Jewish converts. The purpose of the congregation was the apostolate among the Jews. The congergation established various education and care institutions in the Holy Land. In 1852 the brothers also founded a priesthood congress under the same name. The congergation nowadays adds more generally to the mission and to the poor care. Improving relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism is still an important goal of the Congregation. Repentance is no longer a priority.
A well-known member of this congregation was the Belgian Sister Emmanuelle, who finished fifth in 2005 at the French-speaking election of the Greatest Belgian.
In the Netherlands, the congregation has a monastery in Diepenveen. In Belgium, the main congress of the congregation is in Leuven. Externe link
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